TOP SIRE 2025–2026 NSW SHOW AND SALE RESULTS Rabobank National Merino Show Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 August 2024 | Dubbo Showground The Frost family, Thalabah, Laggan, continued their run of strong show results at the 2024 Rabobank National Merino Show, claiming the NSW Ram of the Year and Supreme Exhibit titles. Thalabah 068, affectionately known as Boom Boom, came up from the six-tooth fine/medium class to win the Grand Champion August Shorn Ram before going on to claim two of the most prestigious awards at the show. When sashing the ram, judge Patrick Davis, Demondrille, Murrumburrah, praised its coverage and length of staple. “If you could paint a head for Merino, he’d be the model you’d do it off,” he said. Earlier in 2024, the ram claimed the Overall Junior Merino Ram title at the Great Southern Supreme Merino Show at Bathurst. The 19.9-micron ram was by 2017 Australian Ram of the Year, Nerstane 73. Also in contention for the Supreme Exhibit title was the Grand Champion March Shorn Ewe exhibit from Towonga, Peak Hill; the Grand Champion August Shorn Ewe exhibit from Glenpaen, Brimpaen, VIC, and a Poll ram from Terrick West, Prairie, VIC, that claimed the Grand Champion March Shorn Ram ribbon. “There are four magnificent animals here in front of us. There was nothing in these two rams,” Patrick said. “The Poll ram is right up there with the best Merinos getting around years ago.” Other judges for the 2024 event included Sam Picker, Hillcreston, Bigga, in the superfine ring; David Zouch, Bigga, in the fine/medium ring; Steven Bolt, Claypans, Corrigin, WA, in the medium ring, and Joe Murdoch, North Cowie, Warooka, SA, in the strong ring. In reserve to Thalabah 068 for the Grand Champion August Shorn Ram title was Koonwarra 20272, exhibited by C.T. Merriman and Son, Koonwarra, Boorowa. The 18.3-micron ram came through the six-tooth Poll classes. The Grand Champion August Shorn Ewe was Glenpaen 6216, a 17.9-micron ewe exhibited by the Miller family, Glenpaen, Brimpaen, VIC. Described as “well put together” by judges, David said, “She’s got wool everywhere and she’s got such a long staple. In reserve was Collinsville 50192, exhibited by Collinsville, Hallett, SA. Towonga 21037, exhibited by Garry and Donna Kopp, Towonga, Peak Hill, was the Grand Champion March Shorn Ewe. The 18.5-micron ewe was praised for its well-nourished wool. “She’s really good through the hindquarters, has a lovely outlook and is good underneath,” David said. The Reserve Champion was awarded to Terrick West 341131. The Grand Champion March Shorn Ram was awarded to Terrick West 342201, which had been sashed Overall Junior Poll Merino and eventual Supreme Junior Exhibit at the 2024 Great Southern Supreme Merino Show. The 16.3-micron ram was exhibited by the McGauchie family, Prairie, VIC. Patrick described the ram as magnificent, “The balance in this ram is something you don’t often see.” In reserve was Towonga 21030, exhibited by Garry and Donna Kopp, who also claimed the Most Successful Sheep Exhibitor and Most Successful Overall Exhibitor titles for the event. AUSTRALIAN SUPREME RAM OF THE YEAR South Australia’s Collinsville stud had quite the comeback at the 2024 Rabobank National Merino Show, claiming the Australian Supreme Ram of the Year title after five years away from the event. Collinsville Cruden 1227, exhibited by Collinsville, Hallett, SA, took home the ultimate honour, announced during a cocktail party on Wednesday evening. The ram has had a string of successes, including Supreme Champion Merino Sheep of the Show at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo a month earlier. Representing NSW in the lineup was Thalabah 068, exhibited by Thalabah, Laggan, alongside exhibits from Glenpaen, Brimpaen, VIC; Mt Ascot, Mitchell, QLD, and Kolindale Merinos, Kulin, WA. Before presenting the award, judge Steven Bolt congratulated the finalists. “All five rams are worthy of being here, but there can only be one winner,” he said. The decision was unanimous for the judges, awarding the top title to the 20.1-micron Collinsville ram. “He’s an outstanding, balanced ram,” Steven said. “That nourishment, quality and depth – a good productive sheep. He’s what we look for.” GROUP CHAMPIONS The group classes attracted fierce competition from studs on the first day of judging at the Rabobank National Merino Show. There were 12 group exhibits lined up for the Elders Group of Three March Shorn Rams, under the eye of all five judges. For the second year in a row, Poll Boonoke, Conargo, took home the champion ribbon following a unanimous decision by the judges. Towonga, Peak Hill, placed second with Willandra, Jerilderie, in third. QLD exhibitors Jolly Jumbuck, Mitchell, claimed the Elders City of Dubbo Group, while Towonga, Peak Hill, claimed another second place. In the pairs, the Alcock family, Greenland, Bungarby, secured the hotly contested Max Smith Champion August Shorn Pair title with judges praising the wool quality of the pair. “You don’t see wool much better than that on two sheep,” Sam said. Glenpaen, Brimpaen, VIC, placed second and the Clonan family, Alfoxton, Armidale, third with judges noting both exhibits were “extremely productive”. – 66 –
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